Air heating device



Jan. 10, 1933. A, B. MODINE AIR HEATING DEVICE Filed Aug. 26, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l U U U U 0 U U U D U ,U U U U U 0 U 0 U U U DU U U DU U U U 0 U.' iU UUUUUUUUUU DU UUUUUUU Jan. 1o, 1933. A, B; MODIN Lssasal AIR HEATING DEVICE Filed Aug. 26,- 1929v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 s@A @a msg/.mw

Patented Jan- 11), 1933 WISCONSIN,y AssIGNoR 'ro WISCONSIN, A coRPoRATIoN or WISCONSIN PATENT oel-lcs nomNr. MANUFACTURING AIB HEATING DEVICE Application led August 26, 1929. Serial No. 388,495.

The invention relates to heat exchange devices and particularly to character inwhich the heating medium is of a kfluid character and circulates through heater units to effect a heat exchange.

The invention has among lits particular objects the provision of a structure, such as that above referred to, in which a plurality of heater units are employed and'arranged relatively to each other so that relatively cool air located adjacent the floor of the room in which the device is located may contact with one of tlie heater units located at this portion of the room, be heated thereby, directed and circulated into engagement with another heater unit which acts to again heat the air and return said air in a heated condition to the room.

The invention has a further object the provision of a means for humidifying the heated air and in addition to provide means whereby circulation of air from one heater unit to the other is prevented, the structure also contemplates means which may be arranged to allow circulation of air through one of the heater units and prevent said circulation through the other of said units and to provide a structure such as this with means whereby when one only of the heater units is employed, the heated airisdirected into contact with the humidifier and thence discharged into the room. v

The invention has as another object the provision of means whereby the humidifier may be conveniently charged with water from the outside of the structure.

The invention will be explained and more readily understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate various embodiments of which the in. entiomis susceptible, it being, therefore, manifest that the invention is capable 0f other modifications without departing from the spirit of the appended claims forming a part hereof.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a heat eX- change device showing the latter incorporated in the wall structure of the room;

a device of this Figa 2 is,I a section taken on line 2,2 of

Fig. l; v

Fig. 3 is a section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1; y

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing a modified arrangement which may be resorted to; and

Figs. 5, 6, and 7 are detail views of structures which may be employed in the deyice shown in Fig. 1. l

he invention is illustrated in the draw'- ings as being arranged in a recess provided in ay wall of the ,room and being substantially flush with oneface of the wall.

The structure shown is adapted to receive steam as the hea-ting medium. However, it

isunderstood that the arrangement is capable of the use of other fluids such as hot water for this purpose.

As clearly shown in Fig. 1, the structure contemplates ythe use of a pair of headers,

generally designated 10 and 1 1, which are arrangedin spaced relation to each other and are connected with each other thro-ugh the medium of the relatively flat, horizontally arranged sets of heater tubes, generally designated 12 and 13. Cooling ns 14 are arranged transversely of the tubes 12 and 13 to facilitate heating of the air as -it travels through theradiator tubes 12 and 13.

It will be noted by referring to Fig. 3 that the sets of heater tubes 12 and 13 are disposed at'an angle to each other, the lower set, such as'13, nearest the Hoor of the room, all being inclined so as to direct the air located at this portion of the room into the interior of the casing, generally designated 15, and that the sets of heater tubes 12 are arranged at an angle opposite to that of the tubes v13 so as to direct the heated air upwardly and outwardly relatively to the casing 15. An inlet or supply pipe connection 16 is provided and connected with one of the headers, such as 1 0, and thus will supply steam or some located at the opposite end of the tubes.

A strip or plate 17 is located along the upper edge of the fins 14 and a similar plate 18 is arranged at the lower edge of said ns.

ing the tank 26 with Vwater.

These plates are provided with a plurality of apertures, respectively designated 19 and 2O which, together with the tubes and fins, provide a grille. The apertures in the plates 5 17 and 18 are provided to augment circulation of air through the ,casing '15. The lowermost portion of thecasing adjacent the plurality of tubes 13 is curved as indicated at 21, which. will assist in directing the air passing between these last mentioned tubes upwardly and towardrthe sets of tubes'ldesignated 12. The casing 15 has a wall 22 which extends from the rear wall 23 to the front portion ofthe heat exchange device, where it connectswith the apertured plate 17, it being understood that. this casing is provided with end walls 24 and 25 which connect the plates 17'and 18 to form a unitary structure.

The structure co of a huinidifier which in the present instance includes a tank'26 having a wall 27, a curved wall 28 and ,a'front wall 29, the tank being held in associated and spaced relation with the casing 15 through the agency of studs or other means such as 30. It' will be noted that the lower'wall 28 of the tank forming the humidifier isv curved'so as to direct the air currentsfcirculating in the casing 15 towards and/throghthe heater units generally desig- 'wall 27 of the tank 26 is spaced from the wall 23 of the casing to allow a certain portion of the air enterin the casing to travel between the tank and t e wall 23 and pass over the gwater contained in the tank and thus carry fmoisture therefrom through the openings 19 in the plate 17 into theroom. As before 'stated, means is provided for conveniently charg- This means includes a. tubular member 31 which is preferably U-shaped in cross section and is movably mounted in an opening 32 provided in the plate 17. The tubular member 31 is provided with a plate 33 which prodiices a stop to limit the inward movement ofthe tubular member 31, however, permits the tubular member 31 to be partially extracted from within the casing 15 to expose a portion thereof so that water poured into the tubular member 31 will be conveyed to the tank 26. The structure shown in Fig. 3 contemplates the use of a pivoted damper 34 which, when arranged in the position shown in Fig. 3, prohibits travel of air through the casing 15 and thus in this way prevents circulation of air to and through the heater units, generally designated 12 and 13.

The structure shown in Fig. 4 substantial- .ly correspondswith that shown in Fig. 3, however, difers in that a means is associated with this structure whereby one or the other or both of the heater units may be rendered ineffective to heat and circulate the heated air into the room in which the heat exchange de- 65 vice is located. This means includes a damptemplates the utilization` nate-d 12. It will further be noted that the er 35 located adjacent the heater units 12a and a damper 36 arranged adjacent the heater units 13a. The damper 35 is curved in the manner shown and is constructed in this manner to provide means for conducting air from the casing 15a through the heater units 12a a'nd is further provided with means whereby when the damper 35 is arranged in the position thereof shown in Fig. 4, a certain amount of the air circulating through the casing 15a may pass over the water contained in the humidifier 26a. The means for accomplishing ythis last mentioned feature contemplates the provision of an opening whereby air may pass from the casing to the humidifier; the means herein shown includes, one or more apertures 36 which are provided in the damper 35 and arranged so that air in the casing 15 may pass therethrough between the wall 26a of the humidifier and the wall 15a of the casing and be directed to the humidifier 26 and thence over the water contained in the humidifier and out through apertures such as the apertures 19. This structure shown in Fig. 4 is also. provided 90 -with a means for charging the humidifier,

and since this means -corresponds in all respects with that shown and described in con- .nection with the structure of Fig. 3, further description thereof is deemed unnecessary. The plates 17 and 18, respectively located adjacent the heater units 12 and 13 are each provided with an inwardly projecting flange, respectively designated 37 and 38. The flange 38 is adapted to fit over the edge of the wall 22 of the casing 15 and be secured thereto to hold this plate with relation to the casing. The opposite edge of the plate 17 is provided with an inwardly projecting flange 39, the latter of which, however, is of lesser width than the flange 38 and provides an opening whereby air in the upper portion of the casing 15 may pass between the wall 29 of the humidifier and the front of the plate 17 and be discharged through the apertures 19 in said plate.

The lower plate 18 is, as before stated, providedwith apertures such as 20, and the wall 40 of .thisplate is of a lesser width than the flange'of the wall 37 and provides a space whereby' air may-.be introduced through the openings 20 into the casing 15. The lower plate 18 is provided with an aperture 41 whereby access may be had to the valve generally designated 42 for controlling the passage of steam or other heating medium to the heater such as 10. Means is provided for adding rigidity to the fins 14 and to this end said fins' have the outermostl edges thereof formed in a mannervtoaccomplish this feature. The various means for accomplishing this are clearly shown in Figs. 5', 6 and 7, the structurefor accomplishing this, illustrated in Fig. 5, contemplates bending one edge of .the fin upon itself, as'indicated at 43. The 130 structure illustrated in F ig. 6 contemplates bending the edge thereof back upon itself, however in spaced relation to the major portion of the fin to provide a recess for the reception of a reinforcing rib 44. The reinforcement 45, shown in Fig. 7, is of suhstantially Ushaped cross section and is formed in this manner to receive an edge et the tin.

From the foregoing description of the invention, it is manifest that an arrangement is provided whereby relatively cool air, usu* ally located adjacent the floor of the room, is heated and caused to circulate through the heater units 13, through the casing 15 into contact with the heater units 12 Where said air is again heated and then discharged in this'last mentioned condition into the room. It is further evident that a humidifier is arranged so that-air passing through the casing 15 is caused to contact with the humidierfto heat it and also pass over the humidi` fier and thuscarries moisture through the apertures 19 into the room.

Itis further evident that the damper arrangement disclosed provides means for entirely stopping the flow of air through the casing and-also provides means whereby either one or both of the heater units may be rendered ineffective, and furthermore, that the damper device also has means whereby when the latter is arranged in open position, heated air may pass therethrough and over the tanli, containing'the Water to hudimify the air.

Having thus described my invention, it is 4 obvious that various immaterial modifications may be had -in the same withoutde.- parting from the spirit of my invention; hence, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact form, construction, arrangement, and combination of parts herein shown and kdescribed or uses mentioned.

I claim: v 1

l. In a heat exchange devicethe combination of a pair of heat exchange units, one of said units being arranged relatively to the other to provide means to induce a flow of air from one heat exchange unit to the other, and a member providing a damper, said damper being adaptedtsibe arranged to prevent flow of heatedy air froiir-oneheat exchange unit and allowflow of air into said heat exchange device through,the other heat exchange unit, said dampeirproviding means for directing iiow of air' from one heat 4exchange unit to the other.

2. In a heat. exchange device the combination of a pair of heat exchange units, one of said units being arranged relatively to the other to provide means for directing a How of air from one side of one heat exchange unit to the other side and other unit and discharging said heated air from said last mentioned heater unit toward said iirst mentioned side, and means providing a humidifier arranged adjacent one end of one of said heat exchange units and being extended therefrom toward the opposite end of said unit.

3. In a heat exchange device the combination of a pair of heat exchange units, one of said units being arranged relatively to the other to provide an element of means to induce a flow of air through one' heat exchange unit and thence through the other, and means providing a humidifier arranged adjacent one of said heat exchange units, said humidifier having means for directing air from one of said heat exchange units toward the other.

4.' In a heat exchange device the combination of a pair of heat exchange units one of Which is disposed above the other, each unit including a plurality of spaced inclined heat exchange devices, the heat exchange devices of one unit being inclined relatively to the heat exchange devices of the other unit, and means providing a humidifier arranged advjacent one of said heat exchange units.

5. In a heat exchange device the combination of a pair of heat exchange units, each unit including a plurality of spaced inclined heat exchange devices, the heat exchange devices of one unit being inclined relatively to the heat exchange devices of the other unit, and means providing a humidifier arranged adjacent one of said heat exchange units, said humidifier having' a wall providing means for directing air toward one of said heat exchange units. v

6. Ina heat exchange device the combination of a casing and a pair of heat exchange units providing a Wall of said casing, one of said units being arranged relatively to the other to provide means' to induce a flow of air from ,one heat exchange unit into the casing and thence to the other heat exchange unit, and means arranged'adjacent each unit for independently controlling fioW of air to and from said units.

7 In a heat exchange device the combination of, a pair of heat lexchange units, one of said units being arranged relatively to the otherl to provide means to induce a flow of air from one heat exchange unit to the other, and means arranged adjacent the respective units for directing air from one unit to the other and from the last mentioned unit, said means of the last mentioned unit providing a Wall of a humidifier arranged adjacent said last mentioned unit.

8. In a heat exchange device the combination of a pair of heat exchange units., each unit including a plurality'cf spaced inclined heat exchange devices, the heat exchange devices of one unit being inclined relatively to the heatl exchange devices of the other unit, a casing for said heat exchange units,'one

- one unit to the other end of said casing having means for directin air from one heat exchange unit to the ot er, and means providing a humidifier arranged adjacent the opposite end of the casing and adjacent the other heat exchange unit and havin a Wall thereof providing means for directing air to said last mentioned heat exchange unit.

9. In a heat exchange device, the combination of a pair of heat exchange units, said units being arranged relatively to each other to provide means to induce flow of air from and from the latter, a humidifier, a member providing a damper, said damper being movable to prevent flow of air through one of said units and being movable to a position to direct flow o air through said unit and having means whereby said humidifier is subjected' to air flowing through 'said device when said damper is arranged in said last mentioned position.

10. In a heat exchange device, the combination of a pair of heater units arranged with respect to each other to provide means for heating air and circulating said air from one to the other of said units, a humidifier arranged adjacent one of said units, an element providing a damper for regulating the amount of air passing through said unit, said element being movable to arrange said element to direct air through said unit, said element having means whereby air may be introduced to said humidiiier with said element arranged in said last mentioned position.

11. In a heat exchange device, the combination of a pairof heater units and a casing arranged relatively to each other to provide means for heating air and circulating air into and out of said casing, means controlling flow of air providing means for respectively directing said air through one of said heater units and preventing the passage of air through the other and directing said air through said casing.

12. In a heat exchange device, the combination of a pair of heater units and a casing arranged relatively to each other to provide means for heating air and circulating air into and out of said casing, means controlling iiow of air, said means being movable to arrange said means to direct air through one of said heater units and providing means for preventing flow of air through said heater unit and providing means for directing said air through said casing, said means having means whereby a portion of said air may circulate through said means and from said casing when said means is arranged to direct said air through the heater unit.

13. In a heat exchange device, the combination of a pair of heater units and a casing arranged relatively to each other to provide means for heating air and circulatingair into'and out of. said casing, means controlling flow of air, said means being movable to arrange said means to direct air through one of said heater units and providing means for preventing ilow of air through sald heater unit andproviding means for directing said air through said casing, said means having means whereby a portion of said air may be discharged from said casing when said means is arranged to direct sai air through the heater unit, and humidifying means arranged in the path of travel of said last mentioned portion of said air.

' 14. In a heat exchange device, the combination of a casing,theater units providing a wall of said casing, said heater units providing means for inducing ilow of air through one of said units and into said casing and inducing flow of air from said casing through another of said units, said casing having an air outlet located above said last mentioned heater unit, a damper located in said casing, said damper providing means for directing air through said.last mentioned heater unit and providing means preventfng flow of air through said last mentioned unit and causing flow of heated air through said outlet located above said unit.

l5. In a heat exchange device, the combination of a casing, heater units providing a wall of said casing, said heater units providing means for inducing ilow of air through one of said units and into said casing and inducing iiow of air from said casing through another of said units, said casing having an air outlet located. above said last mentioned heater unit, a damper located in said casing, said damper providing means for directing air through said last mentioned heater unit and providing means preventing flow of air through said last mentioned unit and causing ow of heated air through said outlet located above said unit, and a humidiier located adjacent said last mentioned outlet and spaced from said casing, said damper having means allowing air to circulate therethrough and through said space into cooperation with said humidifier when said damper is arranged to direct air through said aforo;l

mentioned heater unit. s

16. In a heat exchange device, the combination of a casing, heater units providing a wall of said casing, said heater units providing means or inducing flow of air through one of said units and into said casing and inducing iiow of air from said casing through another of said units, said casing having an air outlet located above said last mentioned heater unit, a damper located in said casing, said damper providing means for directing air through said last mentioned heater unit and providing means preventing iow of air through said last mentioned unit and causing iiow of heated air through said outlet located above said unit, and a humidifer'located adjacent said last mentioned outlet, said damper having means through which air may travel with the damper ar ranged to direct air through said heater unit.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 22nd day of August, A.

ARTHUR MODINE. 

